Portable building

ABSTRACT

A method of increasing the volume of a portable building which has a tilt up roof extension and a tilt down floor extension by attaching temporary rams and brackets on the roof extension and floor extension to give favourable thrust angles and deploying the extensions. The roof extension is braced with diagonal cross braces. Thereafter the rams and brackets are removed and the perimeter of the extension is closed in with panels carried to the site inside the core of the building. When the building is to be transferred to another site, the procedure is reversed. The core of the building when collapsed is only 2.5 m wide which enables truck delivery on a highway.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns movable buildings which can be enlarged for accommodating persons as a dwelling and collapsed for transport on a highway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As cargo containers fulfil road transport requirements and can be taken to most sites by container carrying vehicles, containers have been modified to increase the floor area and enclose it with extra walls to create living space. As the building may be erected in inhospitable areas subject perhaps to extremes of temperature, the invasion of windblown sand and the shocks of travelling over roads and tracks of varying quality, the construction must retain its designed shape, the panels of which it is composed must remain planar and the procedure of unfolding and re-folding the panels which allow the size change must not impose forces which spoil the interfitting of the panels.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,356 discusses problems arising from the need to lift pivoting walls of a mobile building and describes a specifically designed apparatus being a system of levers powered by a pair of hydraulic jacks which tilt the walls of the trailer during extension and retraction. This apparatus must accompany the trailer to the site every time the trailer undergoes a change in size or remain there in order to reverse the motion when the trailer is to be moved.

WO 98/51875 describes expandible mobile shelters which utilise in situ rams to lift the roof panel and the pendant wall and floor panels to form an extension to the core space of the shelter. These remain once the panels have been deployed in the event of a change of location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The product aspect of the invention provides a portable dwelling having as its core a box-like structure of the size and structural strength of a shipping container, having a floor, a roof, two end walls, a first static side wall and a second wall made of a floor panel hinged to the container floor so that it folds downwardly to extend the floor area, and a roof panel hinged to the container roof so that it swings upwardly to extend the roof area, a pair of external accessible jacking sites on the roof panel, a pair of external accessible jacking sites on the floor panel, corresponding jacking sites on the box-like structure whereby force is applicable by portable powered means in order to move the panels whereafter the powered means is removable.

The jacking sites may be brackets which are also removable.

More particularly the invention provides a box-like structure the size and strength of a shipping container having a floor, roof, two end walls, a first static side wall and a second made of a panel hinged to the container floor and a panel hinged to the roof, the two panels lying side by side and upright, a pair of struts for supporting the roof panel, multiple panels in the box-like structure capable of mutual connection to a side wall and end walls, a first pair of brackets attachable to the box-like structure, a second pair of brackets attachable to the floor panel or the roof panel and a pair of rams capable of exerting force between the first and second pairs of brackets.

The method aspect of the invention provides a method of preparing a portable building for occupation, the building having a tilting roof panel and a tilting floor panel for expanding the volume of the building including the steps of attaching a pair of jacking brackets to the roof panel and a pair of jacking brackets to the building, applying a pair of rams between the pairs of brackets and urging the roof panel from vertical to substantially horizontal, supporting the roof panel with struts, repeating the procedure in order to deploy the floor panel, inserting wall panels between the roof and floor in order to enclose the expanded volume and removing the brackets and rams.

The method makes use of a crossed diagonal strut assembly having a roof strut extending from the floor of the cover to the roof extremity, a sliding strut locator capable of moving on the roof strut in order to permit engagement of a pair of half struts each connected at one end to the strut locator and at their opposite ends to the floor extremity and the top of the box.

The purpose of adding brackets is to create a more favourable thrust angle for the rams. The moment about the tilting axis of the roof frame or a floor frame is reduced and the frame is more likely to retain its shape. The jacking sites on the box structure may be pins or smaller brackets.

The deployment of the floor panel may be preceded by positioning floor supports on the ground to act as footings. Preferably the floor supports are arranged in a planar array.

As the building is a box-like structure it is practical and safe to carry the panels in through the door of the structure and stack them.

In practice the portable building with wall panels stacked inside it may be lifted on and off the transporting vehicle by a side loader, a forklift or a tilting platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the unit enlarged by the deployed extension.

FIG. 2 shows the unit in box form being unloaded from a truck.

FIG. 3 shows the unit as delivered to site with jacking brackets subsequently attached.

FIG. 4 shows the roof extension partially raised.

FIG. 5 shows the roof extension fully raised.

FIG. 6 shows the roof extension fully raised and supported by part of a strut assembly.

FIG. 7 shows the floor extension partially lowered.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the floor extension fully lowered and the strut assembly being fully deployed.

FIG. 10 shows the corner of the underside of the roof.

FIG. 11 shows the corner of the floor extension.

FIG. 12 shows the addition of panels closing in the space between the roof and floor of the extension.

FIG. 13 is a plan of the accommodation inside the box and extension.

All the side views shown in the drawings are diagrammatic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the erected dwelling. The steel box 2 which is the core of the unit is 6.1 m long×2.5 m wide×3.0 m wide. The extension 4 lies to one side of the case and has a door 6 and windows 8 set in panels 10. The steel box is loaded onto truck 12 by winching it up a platform 14 which pivots to form an incline. The 2.5 m measurement is important for meeting highway regulations as loads freighted by road must not exceed this width dimension.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the box 2 has a rectangular base 16 and a floor 18 supported above the base in order to accommodate pipework 20, 22 for wastewater and grey water and electrical wiring (not shown). The extension 4 does not have the frame and floor structure like the box and lies level with floor 18 in the core. The box has top plate 26 and bottom plates 28, 30. Static wall 32 is 6 m long and contains a second door 34.

The posts 40 (one shown) of the opposite wall have a pair of pivots 42 (one shown) at floor level to which floor frame 44 is attached. The floor frame is rectangular and made of square section steel tubes. The top plates 46 likewise support a roof frame 48 attached to pivots 50 (one shown). Twelve insulated wall panels 3.0 m long 52 are stacked inside the box. In use the floor frame has a particle board floor 54 attached to the frame while roof frame has corrugated roofing metal 56 and insulation.

At the site the ground is levelled and prepared to receive the base of the core. In addition the ground alongside which is to receive the floor extension 44 is prepared by the provision of piles 62 at suitable intervals to ensure the expected floor loads will be adequately supported. A pair of triangular thrust brackets 64 are bolted to the roof frame near the pivot 50. A pair of plain thrust brackets 66 are bolted to the posts 40. These have horizontal thrust pins 68 for use during deployment and retraction of the extension.

In FIG. 4 a pair of rams 70 are applied between the roof brackets 64 and the pins 68. The purpose of the brackets is to reduce the moment required by affording or advantageous thrust angle. The force is exerted between the posts 40 and the frame tubes 72, 74 which define the roof and floor.

FIG. 5 shows the final acute angle of the roof in relation to the top of the box.

The roof panel 48 is propped in its final position by a pair of diagonal braces 76. A sliding locator 78 embraces brace 76 and the locator connects a pair of half braces 80, 82. Thus the half braces fold and are manipulated to form an X-brace.

In FIG. 7, the floor has received a pair of triangular brackets 88 and the posts receive plain thrust brackets 90. The rams are transferred to these pairs and the floor is lowered to the position shown in FIG. 8. Brace brackets 92 are bolted to the corners of the roof and the base of the posts 40 and the end of braces 76 are secured by bolts 94. The floor 44 rests on piles 62. All the brackets 64, 66, 88, 90, 92 are unbolted and returned to the delivery vehicle. Panels 52 are transferred from the box to receiving channels 96, 98 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) where they are lifted and dropped in side by side. The vertical edges have tongue and groove profiles 100. The panels are locked in place by screws inserted at 600 mm centres. This approximately doubles the volume of living space in the unit and adds considerably to the comfort of the occupants.

The toilet and grey water are coupled to an external waste pipe and then to a water recycler or septic tank. The floor is able to support 500 kg m² and thereby tolerates Category 1 wind conditions. The panels are 50 mm coolroom panels which enable the airconditioning equipment to maintain a comfortable internal temperature. The roof supports an array of solar generators.

We have found the advantages of the above embodiment to be:

1. One pair of removable rams suffices to expand and retract the extension, the source of pressurised fluid being the fluid pump on the delivery/collection truck. The same pair of rams suffice for multiple units.

2. The simplicity of the procedure requires only two hours to implement the extension and close in the same with panels to permit occupation.

3. The moving components are relatively light and the forces required to tilt the hinged components are small and well within the capacity of the pump carried by the truck.

4. The structure retains its shape after repeated transfers and accordingly remains weatherproof.

It is to be understood that the word “comprising” as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted in its inclusive form, ie. use of the word “comprising” does not exclude the addition of other elements.

It is to be understood that various modifications of and/or additions to the invention can be made without departing from the basic nature of the invention. These modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention. 

1. A method of preparing a portable building for occupation, the building having a box-like core, a tilting roof panel hinged to the core, and a tilting floor panel hinged to the core for expanding the volume of the building, including the steps of attaching a pair of jacking brackets to the roof panel, attaching a pair of jacking brackets to the core, applying a pair of rams between the pairs of brackets, and thrusting the roof panel from vertical to substantially horizontal, supporting the roof panel with struts, applying a pair of rams between the floor panel and the core in order to deploy the floor panel, inserting wall panels between the roof and floor in order to enclose the expanded volume and removing the brackets and rams.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roof thrust comprises an initial thrust followed by a final thrust.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the initial thrust applies force between the jacking brackets on the roof panel and the jacking brackets on the core.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the final thrust applies force between the jacking brackets on the roof panel and jacking points on the core which utilise a larger thrust angle.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rams are pressurised by a pump carried by the vehicle which delivers the portable building to the site.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the brackets and rams are removed after the roof and floor panels have been deployed and the side wall and end walls have been erected.
 7. A portable building having a box-like core having a floor, a roof, two end walls, a first static side wall extending between the two end walls and a second moveable wall made of a floor panel hinged to the core floor, so that it is foldable downwardly to extend the floor area, and a roof panel hinged to the container roof so that it swings upwardly to extend the roof area, a pair of external accessible jacking sites on the roof panel, a pair of external accessible jacking sites on the floor panel and corresponding jacking sites on the core.
 8. A portable building having a box-like core having a floor, a roof, two end walls and a first side wall extending between the end walls, all forming a permanent portion of the building, a fold away portion of the building having a folding floor, a folding roof, removable end walls, a removable second side wall and removable supports for the roof, all being stowable in the permanent position for freighting.
 9. A portable building as claimed in claim 8, wherein the removable supports for the roof panel comprise a pair of crossed diagonal braces.
 10. A portable building having a box-like core, having a floor, roof, end walls, a first static side wall extending between the end walls, and a second wall made of a panel hinged to the roof and a panel hinged to the floor, both panels standing upright and side by side, a pair of struts for supporting the roof panel when deployed, multiple panels in the box-like structure capable of forming a second side wall and end walls when the floor panel is deployed, a first pair of brackets attachable to the core, a second pair of brackets attachable to the roof panel, a pair of rams capable of exerting deploying force between the first and second pairs of brackets.
 11. A portable building as claimed in claim 8, wherein the core has a longitudinal axis and an internal wall parallel to the axis and a partition wall at right angles thereto and spaced therefrom defining a door gap which during transit is occupied by panels which compose the end walls of the foldaway portion. 